MADRID, 26 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Rafa Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moyà, acknowledged that “not even in the most optimistic scenario” did they think that “this could happen” a few months ago, in relation to his pupil’s triumph in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open against Canadian Denis Shapovalov in five sets (6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3), noting that the Balearic tennis player lost “four kilos” during the match.
“After the match we saw that Nadal had lost four kilos, the dehydration was very great”, revealed Moyà in statements to Cadena Cope’s ‘El Partidazo’. “The extra day is going to come in handy. I trust that he will be 100% recovered for the semifinals,” added his coach.
“We had many doubts because from the end of the second set. Rafa hit a downturn due to heat stroke. He was dead and the miracle happened. I did not expect the victory”, added Moyà. “It is much better than two months ago. I think that not even in the most optimistic scenario did we think that this could happen,” he said.
In addition, the former Majorcan tennis player admitted that they “did not” know “what would happen” in Australia, and refused to speak in advance of the title in Melbourne. “Speaking, zero; dreaming, of course. As of Sunday, let’s hope that there will be talk of the 21st (big). There have been many topics to talk about here since we arrived, but we don’t talk about the 21st,” he commented. .
“We know it’s there and the pressure is there. But the way to avoid it is to not give it importance. Rafa has already said many times that his happiness does not depend on this. At the moment we have maximum concentration on Friday’s game. I’m sure it won’t to finish his career in 20 ‘big’ ones and for that we work very hard every day”, he pointed out.
Asked about the favorites in Australia, Moyà had it clear. “Obviously, for me always Rafa, but all those who remain are candidates. A priori there is no surprise, Medvedev is the one who has the experience of having won a ‘big’ and perhaps he will be the toughest rival, but on the other On the other side there are four potential winners of the ‘Grand Slam’. The number one, Rafa and then, Medvedev”, he affirmed.
Finally, as to whether Djokovic will be in the next ‘greats’, Moyà stated that “the rules and laws change every week with COVID.” “We will not know if we will have come out completely, in this we have to go day by day, week by week. Each country has its rules, 98 of the 100 tennis players in Australia have followed it, one did not come and the other was him. We are going to see what happens in Paris, in Wimbledon, the rules depend on the country and not on the tournament. The more we are, the better,” he concluded.